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I thought I'd start a new thread rather than hijack the existing "politics in Aikido practice" thread.

I don't like it when people discuss politics in the dojo. I've learned it's unlikely to help and very likely to cause trouble, just like discussing religion.
I have a pretty good idea what some of my fellow aikidoka's political leanings are. I've tried very hard to keep mine a secret.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

p.s. The first person who divulges their politics in this thread is "it."

I hope not. When one thing becomes two it's usually bad. Leave the politics, the buy the hemp weapons bags designed by Sally Two Bears, and support the preservation of the spotted horny toed badger stuff outside the dojo please.

I have nothing against saving the great northern farting llamas of Ecuador. I just want as little distraction as possible where I train. Even so far as saying that sometimes having dojo mates as friends can be a detriment. I liked training in Japan because many of the distractions found in Western dojo were happily absent. If I wanted to know more about the spiritual side of Aikido or what other members thought about politics or other things I had to make an effort to find out. Usually over tea or many beers.

I have nothing against saving the great northern farting llamas of Ecuador. I just want as little distraction as possible where I train....If I wanted to know more about the spiritual side of Aikido or what other members thought about politics or other things I had to make an effort to find out. Usually over tea or many beers.

When I first started to train in 1993, aikido to me was just aikido. As far as I was concerned then, Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of the art and K Tohei was his senior disciple and the chief instructor in Tokyo. Didn't know there was a Yoshinkan or other kan/ryu of aikido. How ignorant but bliss was I then with the training? The books that I had then "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere" and "This is Aikido" didn't mentioned such things as they were written in the 60's. I enjoyed the classes and my first instructor never talk about politics and such things. All (ignorance and bliss) soon came to end when an association was formed and instructors were rotated.

I do agree that politics don't belong in the dojo and I would add that it is the instructors' responsibilities to keep them out at all means.

I´m a little bit confused regarding this thread actually.
It goes without saying that you dont talk about politics during training.
But you actually find it disturbing if people discuss different subjucts such as music, movies, politics, etc in the dressingroom or sauna after practice?

When I first started to train in 1993, aikido to me was just aikido. As far as I was concerned then, Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of the art and K Tohei was his senior disciple and the chief instructor in Tokyo. Didn't know there was a Yoshinkan or other kan/ryu of aikido. How ignorant but bliss was I then with the training? The books that I had then "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere" and "This is Aikido" didn't mentioned such things as they were written in the 60's. I enjoyed the classes and my first instructor never talk about politics and such things. All (ignorance and bliss) soon came to end when an association was formed and instructors were rotated.

I do agree that politics don't belong in the dojo and I would add that it is the instructors' responsibilities to keep them out at all means.

Still happy training (and half-blind to politics)

David Y

You're right, i'm also don't bother about these things. No wonder am i keiko in Aikikai Malaysia or MAA, at least i've very enjoy while keiko. That's useless to argue about such things, very harmness isn't it? I belief that you will agree it, but sorry if i talk some sensitive issues here.

Time at the dojo is precious as it is. Obviously there is no room for politics, chit-chat or what have you on the tatami. As was suggested above, simply have a drink after practice and discuss whatever you want amongst friends. Before practice these discussions tend to leave the dressing room and continue on the tatami, which I consider bad practice.
In case the sensei wishes to discuss (aikido related) politics, it should occur outside regular classes as not every student may have an ear for it.

Sasaki Shihan talks regular politics. It would be interesting to hear what he has to say about Koizumi's recent apology and about visits to the Yasukuni shrine (where Japanese soldiers executed for war crimes were interred.) He talks a LOT in class. What he says is sometimes hard to stomach, but he has one of the most beautiful iriminage throws I have ever seen, so I often attended his class when I was living in Tokyo.

Sasaki Shihan talks regular politics. It would be interesting to hear what he has to say about Koizumi's recent apology and about visits to the Yasukuni shrine (where Japanese soldiers executed for war crimes were interred.) He talks a LOT in class. What he says is sometimes hard to stomach, but he has one of the most beautiful iriminage throws I have ever seen, so I often attended his class when I was living in Tokyo.

Charles

My point is exactly this: how much better your training would have been without the politics.

I should add that this isn't a problem in any dojo I've ever been in. It just occurred to me after reading the other "political" thread. I thought about raising the subject of Osensei's politics in the dojo.

as an added thing for people to read....Politics do not belong in the work place, dojo, or bedroom....but, if you are not a loyal american who believes in our American way, get out of my country, state, city, and dojo!...Period!

I am of the mind that political debates don't belong in the dojo - but no debates really do, as far as I can see. If someone says something offhand and receives a reply then both parties should agree to discuss the issue elsewhere. We go to the dojo to train, not tussle over who is ruining/saving the world. Or whatever. So, small talk OK (like we could avoid that); heated discussions not OK. And politics, hmmm... I seem to rember some old adage about avoiding discussing politics and religion in certain circumstances.

Quote:

Steven Summers wrote:

as an added thing for people to read....Politics do not belong in the work place, dojo, or bedroom....but, if you are not a loyal american who believes in our American way, get out of my country, state, city, and dojo!...Period!

Mr. Summers, respectfully, your post contains a pretty intolerant perspective. How exactly do you define "loyal american" and "our American way" ? Also, there quite likely are some Americans who would like for you to get out of 'their' country, state, etc. I am sure that there would be sound arguments on both sides, so what is the solution?

If you wish to respond, please feel free to PM me so that we don't end up derailing the thread. Or spawning another called "Politics don't belong on aikiweb!"

Yeah it's funny how "politics don't belong in the dojo"
Obviously most dojos do a good job of keeping national politics out of the training.

But.

It's disgusting how dojos have their own agendas and how much influence Aikido and other Martial Art Politics (MAPs) influence the teaching of the students and the curiculum they are taught.

Quote:

Mr. Summers, respectfully, your post contains a pretty intolerant perspective. How exactly do you define "loyal american" and "our American way" ? Also, there quite likely are some Americans who would like for you to get out of 'their' country, state, etc. I am sure that there would be sound arguments on both sides, so what is the solution?

I thought I'd start a new thread rather than hijack the existing "politics in Aikido practice" thread.

I don't like it when people discuss politics in the dojo. I've learned it's unlikely to help and very likely to cause trouble, just like discussing religion.
I have a pretty good idea what some of my fellow aikidoka's political leanings are. I've tried very hard to keep mine a secret.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

p.s. The first person who divulges their politics in this thread is "it."